“Green” Shopfitting Companies Good For Your Business

“Green” Shopfitting Companies Good For Your Business

No matter in what country you operate your business, the tendency towards using environmentally-friendly materials continues. That’s a good thing for everyone! It means that the world’s population – overall – is taking a closer look at how what they do every day impacts our ecosystems. Going “green” has become more than a trend for many. It’s now a lifestyle that many are willing to live, even at the cost of a little bit of inconvenience.

Energy Conscious Shopfitting Companies Cut Costs

But as a shop owner, what can you do to make your space “green”? And, furthermore, isn’t it expensive to add all of those environmentally-friendly materials? Surely, they all cost more than those standard materials we’ve been using for eons, don’t they?

The answer to that question is “perhaps” but not always. Good shopfitting companies know that there are many options available when it comes to choosing items that aid our environment and while some are definitely more costly, others may only increase your initial expenses by a small amount but will, in the long run, save you money.

In addition, you don’t need to go “all green” all at one time. There are many small steps you can take to make your space better for the world around us, including:

• Choosing wall paints that don’t include Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Many standard paints release toxic fumes for up to 5 years after you put them on your walls. Paint without VOCs is better for your health as well as that of your staff and customers. They cost a little more per gallon but are well worth the expense.

• Choose bamboo for flooring, decking, and other such needs. Going with bamboo rather than timber allows you to save just a small portion of the world’s forests. Bamboo, on the other hand, renews itself every 4 years. Furthermore, bamboo is attractive and, when treated correctly, can be just as durable as timber.

• Ask your shop fitter to chat with you about energy-efficient lighting and be sure to include lighting controls that assure that lights are only being used when needed. Remember, energy-efficient doesn’t mean unattractive. There are plenty of options that will fit the needs of your space and still look good. Also remember to be sure your designer is making good use of the natural light in your store, office, or restaurant. Painting the walls in lighter colors helps with the brightness factor as well.

• If you need to purchase floor coverings, have your fit out specialist look for those that are made of biodegradable materials such as jute, coir, seagrass, and sisal.

• For items such as tables, chairs, desks, shelving, cupboards, or armoires, choose those that are made of recycled/reclaimed materials. Try to avoid plywood and other such materials that are made using glues that include formaldehyde.

This is just a quick list of some of the ways you can become more “green”. Your shopfitter is likely to have many more suggestions for adhering to standards that allow you to decrease your carbon footprint. If caring for the environment is a big deal for you, fitting out your shop or other business with green products is the perfect place to start!

Mills Shopfitting, from concept to fitout. Give us a call 03 9794 1000